My thought on Tebow: Not in Black Hole

Eric Studesville may or may not make a decision today on whether to give Tim Tebow his NFL starting debut this week at Oakland, but if I were him?

I’d wait a week. If the Broncos have determined Tebow has not been ready to play by now, I’m not sure he’d be ready to start against the Raiders in the Black Hole. It makes more sense to wait until the following week, when the Broncos return home to play the defensive-weak Houston Texans.

Kyle Orton deserves to finish the season. But I’m afraid he’d get booed pretty good, even though he doesn’t deserve it, each time he steps between the lines at Invesco Field on Dec. 26.

And giving Tebow a chance to play is not as important as providing the best chance for him to succeed while playing.

Home crowd, Houston Texans for an opponent makes more sense for Tebow’s debut than a hostile crowd while playing those mean, sometimes even dirty Raiders.

But that’s me. We’ll find out what Studesville thinks when his press conference begins in 30 minutes.

I do think, for the purpose of the new GM and head coach, it’s important that Tebow play this year. The Broncos have a substantial investment in him. The less uncertainty about an investment, the better.

Totally disagree. If Tebow has played in some of the biggest bowl games the past four years. That is more pressure than starting at Oakland. This is an extremely conservative point of view on this situation and in my opinion cowardly. If Tebow can not handle this then he will not be able to handle the rest of the NFL.

Garret Smart

Totally disagree. If Tebow has played in some of the biggest bowl games the past four years. That is more pressure than starting at Oakland. This is an extremely conservative point of view on this situation and in my opinion cowardly. If Tebow can not handle this then he will not be able to handle the rest of the NFL.

imdaFISH

Kyle Orton has a problem making plays when it counts…while not an easy task its whats needed. He needs things to be perfect…his attempted comeback vs the Rams aside he has crumbled in almost all pressure situations and has squandered leads, precarious though they may have been. Tebow will be life even in loss. Its an opportunity to come out and play with no real consequence….he is mentally tough and upbeat kid and can handle what the next few weeks will bring. Then he will have some lessons to bring forward into 2011.
I respect where you are coming from and completely get it….but its time.

imdaFISH

Kyle Orton has a problem making plays when it counts…while not an easy task its whats needed. He needs things to be perfect…his attempted comeback vs the Rams aside he has crumbled in almost all pressure situations and has squandered leads, precarious though they may have been. Tebow will be life even in loss. Its an opportunity to come out and play with no real consequence….he is mentally tough and upbeat kid and can handle what the next few weeks will bring. Then he will have some lessons to bring forward into 2011.
I respect where you are coming from and completely get it….but its time.

Anonymous

Oh for crying out loud. Tebow’s a grownup. And a football player. Throw him at the Raiders and let’s see what he can do in difficult circumstances. All of this worry about his self-esteem is foolish.

Anonymous

Oh for crying out loud. Tebow’s a grownup. And a football player. Throw him at the Raiders and let’s see what he can do in difficult circumstances. All of this worry about his self-esteem is foolish.

V. Park

Typical of Klis. Even in a little piece like this he seems to think he has to take a shot at the fans, who he generally holds in contempt. What a dunce. With ticket prices at Invesco being what they are, and with the awful product the Broncos have put on the field this season, the fans should lustily boo whomever they please. And, by the way, Mike, that includes the quarterback who is proven to increasingly shrink in stature as an NFL player whenever the game is on the line. Come on, Klis. Can’t you even state the obvious without dissing the Broncos faithful and long-suffering fans? Get over your Orton man crush, will you?

V. Park

Typical of Klis. Even in a little piece like this he seems to think he has to take a shot at the fans, who he generally holds in contempt. What a dunce. With ticket prices at Invesco being what they are, and with the awful product the Broncos have put on the field this season, the fans should lustily boo whomever they please. And, by the way, Mike, that includes the quarterback who is proven to increasingly shrink in stature as an NFL player whenever the game is on the line. Come on, Klis. Can’t you even state the obvious without dissing the Broncos faithful and long-suffering fans? Get over your Orton man crush, will you?

Juan

Are you kidding? Oakland would be the perfect spot to debut. The chance to avenge a horrible loss. You can’t call the 20,000 or so fans that go to Raider games a hostile crowd. If it was an away game in New England or Pittsburgh I might be able to see your point. Life in the NFL isn’t always gonna be a home game against Houston so Tebow might as well get used to it asap.

Juan

Are you kidding? Oakland would be the perfect spot to debut. The chance to avenge a horrible loss. You can’t call the 20,000 or so fans that go to Raider games a hostile crowd. If it was an away game in New England or Pittsburgh I might be able to see your point. Life in the NFL isn’t always gonna be a home game against Houston so Tebow might as well get used to it asap.

http://twitter.com/imdaFISH Allen

Disagree. Hes a big boy and can handle the pressure + gain exp. to add to next year. Needs to happen

http://twitter.com/imdaFISH Allen

Disagree. Hes a big boy and can handle the pressure + gain exp. to add to next year. Needs to happen

Danjustin386

Yea Orton’s play deserves so much praise…horrible journalism from the DP

Danjustin386

Yea Orton’s play deserves so much praise…horrible journalism from the DP

Anonymous

I love how you go back and forth on this.

First you say – “And giving Tebow a chance to play is not as important as providing the best chance for him to succeed while playing.”

And then you say – “I do think, for the purpose of the new GM and head coach, it’s important that Tebow play this year. The Broncos have a substantial investment in him. The less uncertainty about an investement, the better.”

Which is it? I think that regarldless if McD was planning on starting Tebow next yr, a few games are not going to make a difference in whether he will succeeds or not, but whatever.

Anonymous

I love how you go back and forth on this.

First you say – “And giving Tebow a chance to play is not as important as providing the best chance for him to succeed while playing.”

And then you say – “I do think, for the purpose of the new GM and head coach, it’s important that Tebow play this year. The Broncos have a substantial investment in him. The less uncertainty about an investement, the better.”

Which is it? I think that regarldless if McD was planning on starting Tebow next yr, a few games are not going to make a difference in whether he will succeeds or not, but whatever.

Dom

IMO you play Tebow and see what the hell you are working with, because there are at least 4 stud QB’s coming out next year. If he plays well in these final games “if he plays” then fine, go defense in the draft. If not draft one of the studs, in any case play him.

Dom

IMO you play Tebow and see what the hell you are working with, because there are at least 4 stud QB’s coming out next year. If he plays well in these final games “if he plays” then fine, go defense in the draft. If not draft one of the studs, in any case play him.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LBOEB5BFWZOQEOREYOTY2XO47M Marcus A

Are we trying to win? All Tebow’s shown is the ability to play well. If there were 5 games left, we might have time to wait for a home start, but we only have 3 and need to see what he’s made of.
Mr. Klis…last time I checked, no matter where you play it’s 100 yards between the goal lines. 50 yards from side to side. It’s football. This silly logic follows in the footsteps of McD.
He’ll only be more prepared for his home start. Klis…please don’t keep supporting this romanticizing of the “black hole” nonsense when it’s football!!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LBOEB5BFWZOQEOREYOTY2XO47M Marcus A

Are we trying to win? All Tebow’s shown is the ability to play well. If there were 5 games left, we might have time to wait for a home start, but we only have 3 and need to see what he’s made of.
Mr. Klis…last time I checked, no matter where you play it’s 100 yards between the goal lines. 50 yards from side to side. It’s football. This silly logic follows in the footsteps of McD.
He’ll only be more prepared for his home start. Klis…please don’t keep supporting this romanticizing of the “black hole” nonsense when it’s football!!

Wingnug

Start Tebow. If he can’t handle it, pull him and play Quinn. Give Orton a day off.

Wingnug

Start Tebow. If he can’t handle it, pull him and play Quinn. Give Orton a day off.

Johnsmith

Seriously, the team that was just punished because of a “cheating scandal” and that built the new stadium by skirting the salary cap… you have the nerve to call the Raiders sometimes dirty?

Johnsmith

Seriously, the team that was just punished because of a “cheating scandal” and that built the new stadium by skirting the salary cap… you have the nerve to call the Raiders sometimes dirty?

Maddrokayaker

Absolutely disagree with the assessment. Tim Tebow is a Heisman winning QB and given the downward spiral of the Broncos organization on the whole, he should play out the rest of the season and use it as a sort of “live fire” exercise in getting his feet truly wet in the NFL.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LBOEB5BFWZOQEOREYOTY2XO47M Marcus A

Are we trying to win? All Tebow’s shown is the ability to play well. If there were 5 games left, we might have time to wait for a home start, but we only have 3 and need to see what he’s made of.
Mr. Klis…last time I checked, no matter where you play it’s 100 yards between the goal lines. 50 yards from side to side. It’s football. This silly logic follows in the footsteps of McD.
He’ll only be more prepared for his home start. Klis…please don’t keep supporting this romanticizing of the “black hole” nonsense when it’s football!!

Maddrokayaker

Absolutely disagree with the assessment. Tim Tebow is a Heisman winning QB and given the downward spiral of the Broncos organization on the whole, he should play out the rest of the season and use it as a sort of “live fire” exercise in getting his feet truly wet in the NFL.

flaco

I hear what you’re saying. I’ve thought about it, and I disagree. Sunday was once again very embarrassing. I don’t get why Tebow never gets any time at all. If we’re trying to win some games, Orton’s not doing it. Why wait? Play Tebow Sunday in Oakland.

flaco

I hear what you’re saying. I’ve thought about it, and I disagree. Sunday was once again very embarrassing. I don’t get why Tebow never gets any time at all. If we’re trying to win some games, Orton’s not doing it. Why wait? Play Tebow Sunday in Oakland.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1438851228 Mike Roberts

If Tebow was really worth his price, he’d already be in there. But maybe it’s more like somebody sees something they don’t like; or they don’t see something they need to see before they hand him the keys.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1438851228 Mike Roberts

If Tebow was really worth his price, he’d already be in there. But maybe it’s more like somebody sees something they don’t like; or they don’t see something they need to see before they hand him the keys.

ZINN

I trust professional coaches more than starry eyed fans. Give Tebow time to develop.

Wingnug

ZINN, Let’s put McDaniels in charge of your life. Heck, you said you trust him.

ZINN

I trust professional coaches more than starry eyed fans. Give Tebow time to develop.

Wingnug

ZINN, Let’s put McDaniels in charge of your life. Heck, you said you trust him.

Memodelcallejo

“It makes more sense to wait until the following week, when the Broncos return home to play the defensive-weak Houston Texans.”

Are you kidding? The weak Texans? LOL…I thought the weak ones are us… damn it !!

Memodelcallejo

“It makes more sense to wait until the following week, when the Broncos return home to play the defensive-weak Houston Texans.”

Are you kidding? The weak Texans? LOL…I thought the weak ones are us… damn it !!

pegasus1

Unbelievable. Now Orton will play like he has the past two weeks and Tebow will have to go in cold, with no preparation. Good decision…NOT!

pegasus1

Unbelievable. Now Orton will play like he has the past two weeks and Tebow will have to go in cold, with no preparation. Good decision…NOT!

88

@ZINN

I don’t believe anyone thinks Tebow is going to be better than Orton or give them a better chance to win. However, Denver should at least take a look to see where he is in his development. The worst that can happen is that the Broncos lose and that he plays poorly. Many QBs that went on to be good pros had that experience, even our favorite Bronco, Elway. You cannot ruin a good player with some bad experiences.

Does Orton deserve to be treated that way? I think he’s a good enough pro to understand why the team would do it.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_USVM2BXSIGEBVFW55R6FHTQKSQ Janette

I watched KO’s interview and I don’t think he will understand if the Broncos will start TT. When asked if he understand about all this curiosity about TT, he answered “no” he doesn’t because he said he doesn’t pay attention to it. He said the only thing that matters to him are what his teammates say about him and I believe he has a lot of loyalists in the locker room especially Brandon Lloyd.. That’s why the coaches are way too scared to start TT, they don’t want to upset some of the guys, esp. the ones who said that they will only play for KO!!!

88

@ZINN

I don’t believe anyone thinks Tebow is going to be better than Orton or give them a better chance to win. However, Denver should at least take a look to see where he is in his development. The worst that can happen is that the Broncos lose and that he plays poorly. Many QBs that went on to be good pros had that experience, even our favorite Bronco, Elway. You cannot ruin a good player with some bad experiences.

Does Orton deserve to be treated that way? I think he’s a good enough pro to understand why the team would do it.

Dave

I don’t know where you were when John Elway played his first regular season game as a rookie. The game was against the then Baltimore Colts in Baltimore. The same city and team he had a spurned by telling them he would play baseball before he would play for the Colts, which ultimately precipitated his trade to Denver. What kind of reception do you think Elway received that day? No Elway did not play well in that game; in fact, Steve DeBerg finished the game. Did the beating Elway took break him physically or destroy his confidence, NO! I’ll guarantee you, “The Black Hole” Tebow would face if he plays this Sunday will be nothing compared to what Elway experienced in Baltimore. It’s way past time to stop worrying so much about Tebow. He can take of himself. This is the same guy who once finished a game in H.S. with a broken leg; this is one very tough football player.

Dave

I don’t know where you were when John Elway played his first regular season game as a rookie. The game was against the then Baltimore Colts in Baltimore. The same city and team he had a spurned by telling them he would play baseball before he would play for the Colts, which ultimately precipitated his trade to Denver. What kind of reception do you think Elway received that day? No Elway did not play well in that game; in fact, Steve DeBerg finished the game. Did the beating Elway took break him physically or destroy his confidence, NO! I’ll guarantee you, “The Black Hole” Tebow would face if he plays this Sunday will be nothing compared to what Elway experienced in Baltimore. It’s way past time to stop worrying so much about Tebow. He can take of himself. This is the same guy who once finished a game in H.S. with a broken leg; this is one very tough football player.

Ian Walter

Wow, Mike. Kyle deserves to finish the season? Really? Uh…the dude is 5 and 18 in his last 23 starts, he’s been folding in pressure situations all year, and his last two games have been horrible. And doesn’t deserve to get booed? C’mon, man. This isn’t baseball, already.

Ian Walter

Wow, Mike. Kyle deserves to finish the season? Really? Uh…the dude is 5 and 18 in his last 23 starts, he’s been folding in pressure situations all year, and his last two games have been horrible. And doesn’t deserve to get booed? C’mon, man. This isn’t baseball, already.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_USVM2BXSIGEBVFW55R6FHTQKSQ Janette

The coaches who think that Tim Tebow can’t play were not great coaches at all. The coaches who thinks that Tim Tebow will succeed were superbowl winners…The coach(Mcdaniels) who thinks that TT has the “it” factor is right about it, the only problem is he didn’t follow his guts and so, he is gone!!! Stop that fear and have some faith…TT has great faith and he can move mountains of (disappointments, fear, trials, criticism)

Rex Helmsing

As usual Klis, you and I are in disagreement…Tebow should start as soon as possible….The Raiders game will provide a true measuring stick on whether Tebow is the future or not….If you start him against Houston, it wont mean very much as Houston is pretty much playing out the season, just like the Broncos. San Diego, may have clinched the division by then, and may choose to rest their starters for that game….But the Raiders game will show how Tebow can do against a tough team who needs to win to stay in playoff contention…If Tebow provides a decent showing, than the Broncos will have that many more fans show up the last 2 games of the season to get a look at him, plus it will give the team some hope for the future…If Tebow flops at Oakland, than the Broncos can start the evaluation process to determine if Tebow is their franchise QB or not….But if Tebow plays the last 2 games and does well, it may not be an accurate indicator as both Houston and San Diego may just be playing out the string as mentioned above…

Rex Helmsing

As usual Klis, you and I are in disagreement…Tebow should start as soon as possible….The Raiders game will provide a true measuring stick on whether Tebow is the future or not….If you start him against Houston, it wont mean very much as Houston is pretty much playing out the season, just like the Broncos. San Diego, may have clinched the division by then, and may choose to rest their starters for that game….But the Raiders game will show how Tebow can do against a tough team who needs to win to stay in playoff contention…If Tebow provides a decent showing, than the Broncos will have that many more fans show up the last 2 games of the season to get a look at him, plus it will give the team some hope for the future…If Tebow flops at Oakland, than the Broncos can start the evaluation process to determine if Tebow is their franchise QB or not….But if Tebow plays the last 2 games and does well, it may not be an accurate indicator as both Houston and San Diego may just be playing out the string as mentioned above…

Radrsroc

Cry me a river Klis. The big,bad dirty Raiders?? This is the NFL its time for Tebow to show what he has got.
As a Raider fan I’m hoping for a replay of the October game. BUT, Tebow can bring some things to the table that the Raider D could have problems with.
Given Orton’s injuries, its crazy if Tebow doesn’t start.

Radrsroc

Cry me a river Klis. The big,bad dirty Raiders?? This is the NFL its time for Tebow to show what he has got.
As a Raider fan I’m hoping for a replay of the October game. BUT, Tebow can bring some things to the table that the Raider D could have problems with.
Given Orton’s injuries, its crazy if Tebow doesn’t start.

Radrsroc

Cry me a river Klis. The big,bad dirty Raiders?? This is the NFL its time for Tebow to show what he has got.
As a Raider fan I’m hoping for a replay of the October game. BUT, Tebow can bring some things to the table that the Raider D could have problems with.
Given Orton’s injuries, its crazy if Tebow doesn’t start.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.